SCOTCH PLAINS POLICE DEPARTMENT

12/01&nbspA resident on Rivervale Court reported a Fraud. Someone accessed the victim’s bank account information and made unauthorized purchases. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/01&nbspOfficers responded to the 1100 block of Lenape Way on a report of a Fire. The resident noticed flames coming from a surge protector inside the home and was able to extinguish the flames. The Scotch Plains Fire Department responded to access the situation.

12/01 &nbspA resident in the 2200 block of Mountain Avenue reported a Fraud. The victim stated several credit cards were opened in their name with numerous purchases being made. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/03 &nbspA resident on Country Club Lane reported a Fraud. The victim stated she lost cell phone service and contacted her provider who informed her that someone transferred her cell number to another account. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/05 &nbspWilson A. Mercado, age 58 of Union City, NJ was arrested on an Outstanding Warrant out of Jersey City, NJ during a motor vehicle stop conducted by Off. Smolinski. Off. Smolinski transported Mercado to headquarters for processing.

12/05&nbsp On December 5, 2018, Detectives B. Belford and D. Belford arrested Terique S. Smith, age 29 of Irvington, N.J., at his residence. The arrest came as the result of many weeks long investigation into motor vehicle burglaries which were reported at the YMCA, located at 1340 Martine Avenue. Mr. Smith was transported to headquarters and charged with Burglary, Theft, Fraud and Credit Card Theft. Smith was processed and then released on a summons

12/09 &nbspColin L. Modica, age 27 of Plainfield, NJ was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and Drug Paraphernalia during a motor vehicle stop conducted by Off. Fricks. Off. Fricks transported Modica to headquarters for processing.

12/09 &nbspRigoberto Alonzo, age 42 of Plainfield, NJ was arrested for Providing a Fraudulent Insurance Card to Off. Rites during a motor vehicle stop. Off. Rites transported Alonzo to headquarters for processing.

12/11 &nbspDavid Rivera, age 36 of Plainfield, NJ, was arrested on Outstanding Warrants out of Scotch Plains by Off. Luciano. Rivera was processed at headquarters.

12/11 &nbspA resident on Alton Way reported a Fraud. Someone attempted to open several credit cards in the victim’s name. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/11 &nbspA resident on Pearl Street reported a Fraud. Someone made a fraudulent claim against the victim’s insurance company. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/11 &nbspA resident on Allenby Lane reported a Theft. The victim said they had several packages stolen off the front steps after delivery to their home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/11 &nbspA resident on Allenby Lane reported a Theft. The victim said they had several packages stolen after delivery to their home and Plainfield Police Department located the empty box. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/12 &nbspA resident on Clinton Lane reported a Fraud. The victim stated she noticed fraudulent activity on a credit report similar to activity she reported several years ago. 12/12 &nbspA resident on Heritage Lane reported the Theft of a package that was delivered to her home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/13 &nbspA resident in the 1300 block of Martine Avenue reported the Theft of a package which was delivered to their home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/13 &nbspA resident on Breezy Court reported the Theft of a package delivered to their home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/13 &nbspA resident in the 1600 block of Rahway Road reported the Theft of a package delivered to their home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/13 &nbspA resident on Essex Road reported the Theft of a package which was delivered to their home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/15 &nbspWilliam P. Praesel, age 39 of Westfield, N.J., was arrested for Driving Under the Influence during a motor vehicle stop conducted by Off. Leyden. Praesel was transported to headquarters and processed.

12/15 &nbspA resident on Donsen Lane reported the Theft of numerous packages which were delivered to her home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/16 &nbspAbigail Pu Iboy, age 21 of Plainfield, N.J., was arrested for Providing False Information to Off. Florio during a motor vehicle stop. Pu Iboy was then transported to headquarters and processed.

12/17 &nbspLamar R. Austin, age 19 of Plainfield, N.J., was arrested for Possession of Marijuana during a suspicious motor vehicle investigation conducted by Off. Ostrowski. Austin was then transported to headquarters and processed.

12/17 &nbspA resident on Argyle Court reported the Theft of several packages which were delivered to her home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/17 &nbsp A resident on Swans Mill Lane reported the Theft of several packages which were delivered to her home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/17 &nbspSeveral residents on Autumn Drive reported the Theft’s a package’s which were delivered to their houses. The incident is currently under investigation.12/17 &nbspA resident on Round Hill Road reported the Theft of several packages which were delivered to their home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/17 &nbspA resident on Rahway Road reported the Theft of a package which was delivered to their home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/17 &nbspA resident on Donamy Glen reported the Theft of a package which was delivered to their home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/17 &nbspThe township has experienced numerous thefts of packages from our residents' front steps in the last week. As a result of these crimes, our detective bureau set up surveillance in an area of town where numerous thefts were reported.On 17 December 2018 Detective B. Belford noticed a suspicious vehicle in the area. He was able to follow the vehicle and witnessed the driver, later identified as Tajir H. Hurdle age 25 of Plainfield NJ, approach a house on Clydesdale Road, remove a package from the front steps and attempt to leave the area. He conducted a motor vehicle stop with the assistance of Captain P. Belford and Off. R. Sopko and during that investigation placed Mr. Hurdle under arrest. He was transported back to headquarters and charged with theft and held on outstanding warrants out of Cranford and the Union County Sheriff's Department. Mr. Hurdle finished booking procedures and then transported to the Union County Jail.

12/19 &nbsp A resident on Cooper Road reported the Theft of several packages which were delivered to their home. The incident is currently under investigation. 12/19 &nbspA resident on Farley Avenue reported a Fraud. The victim stated someone accessed their bank-account information and transferred funds without authorization.

12/20 &nbspA resident on Wood Road reported the Theft of packages which were delivered to their home. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/24 &nbspJamil A. Fowler, 24, of Scotch Plains was arrested for providing False Information to Police during a suspicious person’s investigation conducted by Off. Fricks. Fowler also had active warrants out of the Union County Sheriff’s Department and Plainfield, NJ. Fowler was transported to headquarters, processed and then taken to the Union County Jail.

12/26 &nbspA structure fire was reported in the 1600 block of Cooper Road. Officers encountered a heavy smoke condition and made sure all occupants were out of the building. The Scotch Plains Fire Department responded and were able to bring the situation under control. One person who had attempted to extinguish the fire was transported to the hospital for observation due to the smoke condition, and no other injuries were reported.

12/26 &nbspA resident on Kevin Road reported a Fraud. The victim stated a fraudulent purchase was made on a credit card account. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/27 &nbspA resident on Acacia Road reported a Fraud. Someone charged several hundred dollars to a credit card without authorization. The incident is currently under investigation.

12/28 &nbspA business located in the 2000 block of Route 22 East reported a Criminal Mischief. Upon opening for the day the management noticed some paint on the front windows of the building.

12/30 &nbspA resident on Sunnyfield Lane reported the Theft of a white, red and black mountain bike from a shed in their back yard. The bicycle is valued at $300.